Senior Project Manager

Our Core Values 

Our core values define who we are as an organization and serve as the foundation of our code of ethics. Arbor Research expects all employees to embody and demonstrate in our day-to-day work. 

• Collaborative Spirit: We expect each staff member to learn from and teach one another and ask each to exhibit curiosity and respect for the contributions of others. 
• Creativity: We strive to cultivate a challenging, stimulating, and supportive environment where our employees are expected to be inquisitive, take the initiative, and demonstrate ingenuity. 
• Credibility: Our employees are smart, thoughtful, and objective in their work. We expect them to be technically solid in their area of expertise and for those researching to demonstrate scientific rigor. 
•  Dedication: Our team achieves success because of our dedication to carrying out high-quality work and delivering trusted results. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Create and maintain project work plans and task-based resource estimates. Monitor milestone accomplishment and budget/resource use. Review and re-estimate work plans and project resources based on contingencies, changing priorities, and budget-to-actual comparison regularly, updating the organizational forecast at least quarterly. 
• Create generalized project cost estimates based on work plans, loaded average labor rates, and other direct costs. Upon contract award, work with proposal development staff to finalize estimates. Manage expenditures consistent with project and organizational fiscal year budgets. 
• Negotiate resources for execution of the work plan with functional managers, Project Directors/Principal Investigators, and Program Directors ensuring a clear understanding of project objectives and timelines. 
• Work directly with assigned project staff (of all functions) to ensure appropriate work plan understanding and progress. 
• Ensure the preparation of all projects related products and tasks, including programming tasks, analyses, research reports, progress reports, presentations, graphics, and tables; assist Project Directors/Principal Investigators in ultimately being accountable for the quality of these products. Be proactively aware of issues affecting program area and/or individual projects. 
• Serve as the day-to-day liaison to client or funding agency’s scientific or program leadership (e.g., project officers, program officers). 
• Provide customers (including Project Director/Principal Investigator, Program Director, and funder) with required project progress and budget reports, as appropriate or required for each audience.Provide up to date reporting on financial and operational performance of projects on a monthly basis.
• Assist the Senior Contracts Manager with contracts, including scope of work, budget, etc. 
• Contribute to program area strategic discussions and initiatives. 
• Work with the Project Management Office (PMO) leadership to lead the development of project management standards, including tools, processes, and best practices. 
• Serve as proposal Project Manager and conduct the above activities during the proposal phase, as needed. Work closely with the proposal team to ensure all necessary requirements are met for the proposal submission. 
• Provide mentorship to Project Coordinator(s) and Project Associate(s) and serve as a resource for Project Managers. 
• Serve as Project Manager for a variety of projects, including different contract types, funding sources, scientific content, and across programs. Additionally, serve as Project Manager for large scale projects that are scientifically and organizationally complex. 
• Be functionally responsible and provide supervision for more than project management. 

Qualifications 

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (public health, quantitative social science, or management) with ten (10) years progressively more responsible experience managing projects, including at least two years managing at least five of the following areas: timelines, budgets, risks, communications, deliverables, and required reporting 
• PMP certification or equivalent 
• Experience in the direct and indirect management of large teams of people working toward complex goals 
• Excellent organizational and planning skills 
• Strong supervisory and mentoring skills 
• Demonstrated strong verbal/written communication skills 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs 
• Health services or public health research background 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Non-profit experience 
• Experience managing government grants and contracts for research 
• An understanding of biostatistical, technical programming, and clinical issues related to health care research in general 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 
• Proficiency with project management software 
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM)